India hails 'strong' ties with Israel after welcoming US Mideast plan

India has hailed relations with Israeli regime as "very strong" days after it urged Palestinians to consider a contentious US-devised Middle East plan.

In a tweet posted in Hebrew language on Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his satisfaction with New Delhi's cooperation with Tel Aviv.

"Thank you very much, my friend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. India-Israel relations are very strong.... We share common values," Modi tweeted in response to his Israeli counterpart's congratulation on the 28th anniversary of the establishment of New Delhi-Tel Aviv diplomatic ties.

"Today, 28 years ago, Israel and India established formal diplomatic relations. I congratulate my friend Narendra Modi for his warm friendship. Between Israel and India, a deep friendship has emerged that is evident in our many collaborations," the Israeli premier tweeted on Wednesday.

Netanyahu had also attached to his tweet an image of himself talking to Modi in shallow waters.

The exchange of pleasantries between Modi and Netanyahu came days after India called on Palestinian to consider US President Donald Trump's self-proclaimed “deal of the century,” which all Palestinian groups have unanimously rejected.

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also underlined the need for "direct negotiations" between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

“We urge the parties to engage with each other, including on the recent proposals put forward by the United States, and find an acceptable two-state solution for peaceful coexistence. We will continue to follow developments in the region and engage with the parties concerned,” he said.

Relations between India and Israel have developed since Modi’s election in 2014.

New Delhi is Tel Aviv’s biggest purchaser of arms, amounting to $1 billion per year.

MG